An evening of royal celebration

It was an evening to celebrate the third anniversary of His Royal Majesty Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, hosted by Lagos Country Club. The ceremony held penultimate Friday, at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI was there.

 

THE Jubilee hall of the Lagos Country Club in Ikeja, Lagos State was decorated in black and gold fabrics with lights. Tables had gold overlays with flowers in vases; chairs were covered in black.

Most of the guests were dressed in complete traditional attire.

It was the celebration of the third anniversary of His Royal Majesty Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, hosted by Lagos Country Club.

Shotobi was the cynosure of eyes; he wore cream buba, sokoto, agbada and cap. He held a horse tail and a staff in his hands. His pair of black shoes and royal beads complemented his dressing. His wife, Alhaja Kuditat, beamed in blue wrapper and blouse with a matching blue ipele and gele.

The celebration began with cocktail. Virtually all guests made their way to Shotobi to greet and take pictures with him. It was also a time for guests to network and exchange pleasantries. There were lots of small chops and drinks.

Diverse traditional rulers, baale, chiefs, and olori stood to be counted at the event. Lagos Country Club members were also there in their numbers.

After the cocktail which lasted about 30 minutes, Shotobi led the guests to the party section after cutting the tape.

Beautiful ladies dressed in white T-shirt on cream ankara wrapper and head gear, led guests to comfortable seats.

A saxophonist, Oluwole Alabi, aka, Olujazz and his band thrilled guests to different kinds of music, including, salsa, cultural and highlife,  which they dished out at intervals.

The master of the ceremonies, Alhaja Abiola Atanda, aka Madam Kofo, ensured there was no dull moment throughout the evening. She showered Shotobi with eulogies after regonising some distinguished guests.

Guests later stood up to sing the national and Club’s anthems, led by Olujazz.

After that, a traditional dance group, Ajidewe Evergreen Band, led by Funmi Obe, entertained guests with traditional musical dance performances which showcased the rich African culture. Their performances included singing and showing encomiums on Shotobi, and also chanting to talk about Nigeria and its rich natural resources, as well as preaching unity and togetherness. They also danced the Yoruba, Igbo, Huasa, Niger Delta and Owo dances.

Oba Shotobi, (2nd right) and his wife Alhaji Kudirat. Others from left: Akande; Trustees, Lagos Country Club, Chief Allan Olu-Williams and Dr. Kola Oyefeso
Oba Shotobi, (2nd right) and his wife Alhaji Kudirat. Others from left: Akande; Trustees, Lagos Country Club, Chief Allan Olu-Williams and Dr. Kola Oyefeso

Guests watched in awe, giving them standing ovation after each performance.

In his opening remarks, the President of Lagos Country Club, Tajudeen Akande, said the event was in honour of Shotobi who was marking his third anniversary of ascending the throne of his forefathers.

“This event is also to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of Africa, to serve as a reminder that Africans have something to be proud of and we should not for any reason relegate our culture.”

According to him, culture is an identity: any man without identity is a lost man.

“We are a people of rich culture, diversity and we derive our strength from our diversity. In Nigeria, we have languages, fashion and ethnic nationalities and we must begin to patronise what is ours.”

He said the event was designed to serve as a platform for social interaction and networking, irrespective of ethnic background, colour or race.

Shotobi thanked the Club President, its board of trustees, past presidents and members.

He said he had no regret being the king, thanking the people of Ikorodu for choosing him to be their monarch. He promised that he would do his best, adding that he would continue to promote and support the heritage of the land and he would not disappoint them.

According to him, his third year in office was just like yesterday.

“My third anniversary is just like yesterday. I never knew I was going to become a king, let alone dreaming of counting my third year on the throne. All members of this club are happy with me and they are standing by me; I feel loved, I feel a sense of belonging and I will continue to associate myself with them.  I also thank all my people in Ikorodu.

“Marking my third year in Ikorodu is not just marking for marking sake; when I got to the Palace, I found that there was a need,  I told my people of Ikorodu about the need and millions of naira was realised. The hall will be declared opened by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Baba Oba of Ikorodu,” he said.

Shotobi, whose ‘God-sent-father’, the Chief Executive Officer, B and C Associates Inc, a management consulting, marketing research and public relations firm, headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, Robert Brown, was the special guest of honour on the occasion, thanked him for all he has done in his life over the years.

He said: “My God-sent-father found me many years ago, he took good care of me, sponsored my education and did everything humanly possible to take me out of this country to the United States of America to further my education. He was excited when I became the king and he is here today with his wife, Joy, to celebrate my third anniversary. I thank him for all he has done in my life, he has done wonderfully well,” he said.

The ceremony continued with the reading of the citation of Brown. His 15 page citation was said to have been compressed to one page.

Brown and his wife, Joy, who came for the ceremony all the way from the United States of America (USA), were dressed in complete Yoruba traditional attire.

Brown, who is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, B and C International Inc and President International Book Smart Foundation, also serves as an honorary Chief of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana and a honorary Chief of the Ikorodu Kingdom in Lagos State.

Brown in his remarks described the evening as wonderful, adding that Nigeria is great and filled with great people.

His wife, Joy, who expressed her pleasure for the African culture and love shown to her by Nigerians, said it was important to embrace and love one’s cultural heritage.

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